Apparatus and methods for enabling media options in a content delivery network

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for providing media options over a network. In one embodiment, the media options are presented in conjunction with a promotion or advertisement for particular content. The precise ones of a plurality of disclosed options that will be presented may be determined based at least in part on a campaign established by a content management entity and a current availability of the content. For example, certain media options may only be made available for content that is currently available, while other options may be only available for content available at a future date/time, or during a particular time window. Rules for determining which options are to be provided in conjunction with which content and/or advertisements are established and by a content management entity, such as an entity of a multiple systems operator (MSO).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to co-owned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/948,271 filed on Sep. 22, 2004 and entitled“SCHEDULING TRIGGER APPARATUS AND METHOD”, co-owned, co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/460,095 filed on Jul. 26, 2006 andentitled “SCHEDULING TRIGGER APPARATUS AND METHOD”, co-owned, co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/503,749 filed on Jul. 15, 2009 andentitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING AN AUDIENCE IN ACONTENT-BASED NETWORK”, co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/503,710 filed on Jul. 15, 2009 and entitled “METHODS ANDAPPARATUS FOR TARGETED SECONDARY CONTENT INSERTION”, and co-owned,co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/503,772 filed on Jul. 15,2009 and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING AN AUDIENCE INA CONTENT-BASED NETWORK”, each of the foregoing incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of content and/ordata delivery over a network. More particularly, the present inventionis related in one exemplary aspect to apparatus and methods for enablingvarious options or functionalities for programming content.

2. Description of Related Technology

Recent advances in digital information processing and technology havemade a range of services and functions available for delivery toconsumers at their premises for very reasonable prices or subscriptionfees. Various methods of delivering media content such as video to endusers or consumers are known. For example, when the consumer requeststelevision services (such as from a cable, satellite, or terrestrialnetwork service provider), the service provider generally installs ahost or terminal device, such as a set-top box (STB), or a gatewayconfigured to provide content to other devices in communication with thegateway (such as wireless or mobile devices). The terminal deviceprovides access to the network media content at the consumer's premises.Additionally, content may be provided to other consumer devices viacommunication by the service provider with entities in other networks.The service provider (e.g., multiple systems operator or MSO) deliversthe content over the various program channels subscribed by a particularuser, as determined by a network or other content source, via the MSOnetwork and STB or other network configurations as discussed above.

Accordingly, the foregoing services may be provided and delivered to theuser via a wide variety of different equipment environments including,inter alia, cable modems, WiFi™ or WiMAX hubs, Ethernet hubs, gateways,switches and routers, computers, servers, cable or satellite networksand associated set-top boxes, and PSTNs. These services are provided fora fee, such as a monthly subscription fee or per-usage fee.

The provided services and functions may include for example digitalcontent or programming (movies, etc.), digital video-on-demand (VOD),personal video recorder (PVR) and networked PVR (nPVR), InternetProtocol television (IPTV), digital media playback and recording, aswell high speed Internet access and IP-based telephony (e.g., VoIP).Other services available to network users include access to, andrecording of, digital music (e.g., MP3 files), as well local areanetworking (including wire-line and wireless local area networks) fordistributing these services throughout the user's premises, and beyond.Network-delivered or network-based gaming and applications (“apps”) havealso each recently come to the forefront as popular content areas forsubscribers.

In order to increase subscriber awareness (and viewership) of thedelivered content, networks deliver so-called “promotions” for theseevents. A promotion might comprise, e.g., a short clip or compilation ofscenes from a promoted event, which is constructed so as to pique viewerinterest. Promotions are interspersed within a particular channel'sother programming (such as during breaks between programs). A promotionmay be linked to the channel on which it is displayed, or may beunrelated to any particular channel or group of channels (such as e.g.,VOD or PPV content). Promotions may be disposed within the programmingschedule so as to occur at predetermined times where their efficacy isconsidered greatest. For example, a promotion might comprise a briefvideo trailer with associated audio content of a movie which has thesame actors, or similar theme/genre, to that currently viewed by thesubscriber.

Alternatively, promotions may comprise small animated or static graphics(and sometimes associated audio) disposed in a visible but largelynon-intrusive region of the viewer's display, which briefly promote agiven event or series of events. As a simple example, a small iconicbasketball may briefly dribble across the lower portion of the viewer'sdisplay region, followed by the words “NBA Finals on XYZ TV July 25 at8:00 pm EST” or the like. Further, static graphic or animated promotionsmay be displayed in a non-intrusive portion of an electronic programguide (EPG).

Promotions generally alert a viewer as to the substance of the promotedevent, and the date and time that the event would be aired or otherwisebe made accessible. However, prior art technologies require the viewerto not only remember the information given in the promotion, but alsoproceed through a series of complex steps in order to e.g., schedule aviewing of the promoted event, receive a reminder of the promoted event,and/or immediately view the promoted event. For example, the viewer mustprogram his/her recording device to record the promoted event at thespecified date and time, and then after the specified date and time,cause the device to play the recording. A viewer viewing the promotionin an EPG will similarly have to access a listing for the appropriatechannel, locate the promoted event in the listing, and set the system toplay, record or remind the viewer of the event when it occurs.

In addition to the complexity and extra effort required to effectuatesuch activities, there is often a significant decline in a given user'smotivation to watch or record the event. That is to say, if the promotedevent is something that the prospective viewer is only marginallyinterested in, they may be dissuaded from viewing or recording theevent, as doing so requires too much effort. Further, even the moremotivated viewer may simply forget to program their recording device ortuner/receiver, such as where they get distracted by another subsequentpromotion. Still further, it is well known that a viewer's motivation toview particular programming may wane as a function of time lapsed afterthe promotion, thereby making them less likely to view or record theevent as time goes on.

Additionally, with the vast number of channels now available, it isoften difficult for the viewer to remember on which network a given showis appearing, and/or the date and time for a particular event. Moreover,some shows or events now air on multiple networks at differentdays/times, making this proposition even more difficult.

In light of the foregoing, an improved apparatus and method forscheduling various activities (such as tuning, viewing, and/orrecording) relating to delivered content is needed. Such improvedapparatus and methods would ideally both (i) relieve the viewer fromhaving to take burdensome additional actions (such as programming theirDVR or EPG) to schedule these activities, and (ii) allow forcontemporaneous scheduling of these activities with promotional events,when viewer motivation and opportunity is piquede.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the foregoing needs by disclosing, interalia, apparatus and methods for enabling various options orfunctionalities for programming content.

In a first aspect of the invention, a method for providing mediafunctionality to a plurality of devices in communication with a contentdelivery network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includesdetermining one or more media functionality options for delivery to auser as respective one or more embedded triggers within a promotion. Inone variant, the one or more media functionality options compriseoptions to be taken with respect to a promoted event. A promotion isdelivered to the user, the promotion comprising at least the one or moreembedded triggers. A selection of a first one of the one or more mediafunctionality options from the user is received via selection of arespective first one of the one or more embedded triggers, and based atleast in part on the user selection, a determination is made; e.g.,whether to: implement the selected first one of the one or more mediafunctionality options, or deliver a message indicating a previousselection of the first one of the one or more media functionalityoptions, and deliver to the user one or more second media functionalityoptions.

In a second aspect of the invention, a server apparatus configured toprovide a plurality of media functions to one or more client devices isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one firstinterface for communication with the one or more client devices, astorage device, and a processor configured to run at least one computerprogram thereon. In one variant, the computer program comprises aplurality of instructions configured to, when executed: (i) receive aplurality of parameters relating to a secondary content, (ii) utilizethe parameters to insert one or more media function-enabling triggersinto a media stream comprising the secondary content, and (iii) providethe secondary content to the one or more client devices in communicationtherewith via the at least one first interface.

In a third aspect of the invention, a method for enabling one or moremedia functions with respect to a promoted event is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the method comprises: (i) enabling an operator of a contentdelivery network to configure one or more parameters with respect to aplurality of media functions, (ii) gathering a plurality of informationregarding one or more devices associated with an individual user in thenetwork, (iii) using at least the information regarding the one or moredevices and the one or more parameters to identify individual ones of aplurality of media functions which are available for display to theindividual user, and (iv) providing the individual user an ability toimplement the identified individual ones of the plurality of mediafunctions with respect to the promoted event at one or more of the oneor more devices via a selection thereof by the individual user.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, a non-transitory computer readableapparatus comprising a plurality of instructions is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the plurality of instructions are configured to, whenexecuted by a processor: receive a plurality of parameters relating to apromotion campaign, utilize at least (i) at least the parameters, (ii)information regarding a plurality of user devices, (iii) a current time,and (iv) information regarding a channel line-up, to identify and insertone or more media function-enabling triggers into a media stream fordelivering the promotion campaign. The media stream is provided to theone or more client devices in communication therewith via the at leastone first interface.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, a consumer premises device isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the consumer premises device is configuredto provide information relating to a hardware and/or softwareconfiguration thereof to a headend entity, receive a plurality mediaoptions, and enable a user of the device to select from among theplurality of media options.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, a headed management entityconfigured to enable a network operator to select parameters of anadvertising campaign comprising a plurality of media options isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the headend management entity includes atleast one first graphic user interface for displaying information to andreceiving commands from the network operator, a storage device, and aprocessor configured to run at least one computer program thereon. Inone variant, the computer program comprises a plurality of instructionsconfigured to, when executed: (i) display a plurality of parametersrelating to the media options of a particular secondary content withinthe advertising campaign, (ii) receive a selection of one or more of theparameters from the network operator, (iii) utilize the selection of theone or more of the parameters to generate a metadata file, and (iii)provide the metadata file to one or more servers configured to insertone or more media option-enabling triggers into a media streamcomprising the secondary content.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, a system for implementing mediafunction options within a content distribution network is disclosed.

In an eighth aspect of the invention, a method for utilizing embeddedtriggers within delivered content is disclosed.

These and other aspects of the invention shall become apparent whenconsidered in light of the disclosure provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary hybridfiber network configuration useful with the present invention.

FIG. 1 a is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplarynetwork headend configuration useful with the present invention.

FIG. 1 b is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary localservice node configuration useful with the present invention.

FIG. 1 c is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplarybroadcast switched architecture (BSA) network useful with the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 d is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplarypacketized content delivery network architecture useful with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary networkarchitecture configured for use in the present invention.

FIG. 2 a is a functional block diagram illustrating a second exemplarynetwork architecture configured for use in the present invention.

FIG. 2 b is an illustration of various exemplary media functionalitytriggers that may be embedded within a promotion according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 c is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a userinterface for enabling configuration of various parameters of apromotion campaign.

FIG. 3 is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofa method for displaying media functionality options to a viewer.

FIG. 3 a is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodimentof a method for determining which media functionality options todelivery to a viewer.

FIG. 4 is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofa method for enabling a media functionality option to view currentlyavailable content.

FIG. 5 is logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of amethod for enabling a media functionality option for setting arecording.

FIG. 6 is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment ofa method for enabling of a media functionality option for setting areminder.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary mediafunctionality server for use in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary insertionmanagement entity for use in the present invention.

All Figures and Appendices ©Copyright 2012 Time Warner Cable, Inc. Allrights reserved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout.

As used herein, the term “application” refers generally to a unit ofexecutable software that implements a certain functionality or theme.The themes of applications vary broadly across any number of disciplinesand functions (such as on-demand content management, e-commercetransactions, brokerage transactions, home entertainment, calculatoretc.), and one application may have more than one theme. The unit ofexecutable software generally runs in a predetermined environment; forexample, the unit could comprise a downloadable Java Xlet™ that runswithin the JavaTV™ environment.

As used herein, the terms “client device” and “end user device” include,but are not limited to, set top boxes (e.g., DSTBs), personal computers(PCs), and minicomputers, whether desktop, laptop, or otherwise, andmobile devices such as handheld computers, PDAs, personal media devices(PMDs), and smartphones.

As used herein, the term “codec” refers to an video, audio, or otherdata coding and/or decoding algorithm, process or apparatus including,without limitation, those of the MPEG (e.g., MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4,etc.), Real (RealVideo, etc.), AC-3 (audio), DiVX, XViD/ViDX, WindowsMedia Video (e.g., WMV 7, 8, or 9), ATI Video codec, or VC-1 (SMPTEstandard 421M) families.

As used herein, the term “computer program” or “software” is meant toinclude any sequence or human or machine cognizable steps which performa function. Such program may be rendered in virtually any programminglanguage or environment including, for example, C/C++, Fortran, COBOL,PASCAL, assembly language, markup languages (e.g., HTML, SGML, XML,VoXML), and the like, as well as object-oriented environments such asthe Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), Java™ (includingJ2ME, Java Beans, etc.), Binary Runtime Environment (e.g., BREW), andthe like.

The term “Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)” refers to any type ofelectronic equipment located within a customer's or user's premises andconnected to a network, such as set-top boxes (e.g., DSTBs or IP TVdevices), televisions, cable modems (CMs), embedded multimedia terminaladapters (eMTAs), whether stand-alone or integrated with other devices,Digital Video Recorders (DVR), gateway storage devices (Furnace), andITV Personal Computers.

As used herein, the term “display” means any type of device adapted todisplay information, including without limitation CRTs, LCDs, TFTs,plasma displays, LEDs, incandescent and fluorescent devices. Displaydevices may also include less dynamic devices such as, for example,printers, e-ink devices, and the like.

As used herein, the term “DVR” (digital video recorder) refers generallyto any type of recording mechanism and/or software environment, locatedin the headend, the user premises or anywhere else, whereby content sentover a network can be recorded and selectively recalled. Such DVR may bededicated in nature, or part of a non-dedicated or multi-functionsystem.

As used herein, the term “DOCSIS” refers to any of the existing orplanned variants of the Data Over Cable Services InterfaceSpecification, including for example DOCSIS versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 and3.0. DOCSIS (version 1.0) is a standard and protocol for internet accessusing a “digital” cable network.

As used herein, the terms “Internet” and “internet” are usedinterchangeably to refer to inter-networks including, withoutlimitation, the Internet.

As used herein, the term “memory” or “storage” includes any type ofintegrated circuit or other storage device adapted for storing digitaldata including, without limitation, ROM. PROM, EEPROM, DRAM, SDRAM,DDR/2 SDRAM, EDO/FPMS, RLDRAM, SRAM, “flash” memory (e.g., NAND/NOR),and PSRAM.

As used herein, the terms “microprocessor” and “digital processor” aremeant generally to include all types of digital processing devicesincluding, without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reducedinstruction set computers (RISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors,microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable computefabrics (RCFs), array processors, and application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs). Such digital processors may be contained on a singleunitary IC die, or distributed across multiple components.

As used herein, the terms “MSO” or “multiple systems operator” refer toa cable, satellite, or terrestrial network provider havinginfrastructure required to deliver services including programming anddata over those mediums.

As used herein, the terms “network” and “bearer network” refer generallyto any type of telecommunications or data network including, withoutlimitation, hybrid fiber coax (HFC) networks, satellite networks, telconetworks, and data networks (including MANs, WANs, LANs, WLANs,internets, and intranets). Such networks or portions thereof may utilizeany one or more different topologies (e.g., ring, bus, star, loop,etc.), transmission media (e.g., wired/RE cable, RF wireless, millimeterwave, optical, etc.) and/or communications or networking protocols(e.g., SONET, DOCSIS, IEEE Std. 802.3, ATM, X.25, Frame Relay, 3GPP,3GPP2, LTE/LTE-A, WAP, SIP, UDP, FTP, RTP/RTCP, H.323, etc.).

As used herein, the term “network interface” refers to any signal ordata interface with a component or network including, withoutlimitation, those of the Firewire (e.g., FW400, FW800, etc.), USB (e.g.,USB2), Ethernet (e.g., 10/100, 10/100/1000 (Gigabit Ethernet), 10-Gig-E,etc.), MoCA, Serial ATA (e.g., SATA, e-SATA, SATAII), Ultra-ATA/DMA,Coaxsys (e.g., TVnet™), radio frequency tuner (e.g., in-band or OOB,cable modem, etc.), Wi-Fi (802.11a,b,g,n), Wi-MAX (802.16), PAN(802.15), cellular (e.g., LTE/LTE-A, 3GPP, 3GPP2, UMTS), or IrDAfamilies.

As used herein, the term “server” refers to any computerized component,system or entity regardless of four which is adapted to provide data,files, applications, content, or other services to one or more otherdevices or entities on a computer network.

As used herein, the term “user interface” refers to, without limitation,any visual, graphical, tactile, audible, sensory, or other means ofproviding information to and/or receiving information from a user orother entity.

As used herein, the term “Wi-E” refers to, without limitation, any ofthe variants of IEEE-Std. 802.11 or related standards including802.11a/b/g/n.

Overview

In one salient aspect, the present invention comprises apparatus andmethods for providing media functionality or options. In one exemplaryembodiment, the media functionality/options are presented in conjunctionwith a promotion or advertisement for particular content. For example,the apparatus of the invention may embed or associate one or moretriggers within the promotional broadcast or content distribution.

A determination of the precise ones of a plurality of disclosed optionsthat will be presented is based in one implementation on (i) a campaignestablished by a content management entity, and (ii) a currentavailability of the content. For example, certain media functionalityoptions may only be made available to content that is currentlyavailable, other options may be only available to content that will beavailable at a future date/time, certain options may only be madeavailable during a particular time window, and so forth. A mediafunctionality server at the network headend is configured to makedecisions regarding which media functionality or options to providewithin a given promotion, and to enable and process user selectionsthereof. Additionally, an insertion management entity, a promotioncampaign management entity, and an EPG generation system also provideinformation useful in the decision-making process of the mediafunctionality server. Decisions may be further based on user (i.e., thenetwork operator or promotion manager) input via a user interface incommunication with one or more of the foregoing entities.

The various media functionality options include e.g., (i) causing thedevice which selected the option to tune to the promoted eventimmediately, (ii) enabling the device which selected the option to causeone or more additional devices to tune to the promoted eventimmediately, (iv) causing the device which selected the option to tuneto the promoted event at some date/time in the future, (iv) enabling thedevice which selected the option to additionally cause one or more otherdevices to tune to the promoted event at some date/time in the future,(v) causing a reminder regarding a promoted event to be sent to thedevice which selected the option, (vi) enabling the device whichselected the option to identify one or more additional devices toreceive reminders regarding a promoted event, (vii) causing a recordingdevice associated with the device which selected the option to recordcontent, and (viii) based on the selected option on one device, causeone or more recording devices associated with one or more respectiveother devices to additionally record content. It is further appreciatedthat the programming content may in one embodiment comprise episodic orrecurring content. Hence, the aforementioned media functionality optionsmay further comprise options for force tuning, recording and/orreminding at each instance of recurrence of the programming content. Itis appreciated that the force tune event as discussed herein maycomprise tuning to currently broadcast or immediately available content,and/or storing a signal to cause one or more devices to tune to theevent at the date/time (in the future) it becomes available for viewing.Methods for enabling various ones of these media functionality optionsare discussed herein.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and methods of the presentinvention are now described in detail. While these exemplary embodimentsare described in the context of the aforementioned hybrid fiber coax(HFC) cable system architecture having a multiple systems operator,digital networking capability, and plurality of client devices/CPE, thegeneral principles and advantages of the invention may be extended toother types of networks and architectures, whether broadband,narrowband, wired or wireless, terrestrial or satellite, or otherwise,the following therefore being merely exemplary in nature.

It will also be appreciated that while described generally in thecontext of a consumer (i.e., home) end user domain, the presentinvention may be readily adapted to other types of environments (e.g.,commercial/enterprise, government/military, etc.) as well. Myriad otherapplications are possible.

Also, while certain aspects are described primarily in the context ofthe well-known Internet Protocol (described in, inter alia, RFC 791 and2460), it will be appreciated that the present invention may utilizeother types of protocols (and in fact bearer networks to include otherinternets and intranets) to implement the described functionality.

Bearer Network—

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical content delivery network configuration withwhich the apparatus and methods of the present invention may be used.The various components of the network 100 include (i) one or more dataand application origination points 102; (ii) one or more content sources103, (iii) one or more application distribution servers 104; (iv) one ormore VOD servers 105, and (v) customer premises equipment (CPE) 106. Thedistribution server(s) 104, VOD servers 105 and CPE(s) 106 are connectedvia a bearer (e.g., HFC) network 101. A simple architecture comprisingone of each of the aforementioned components 102, 104, 105, 106 is shownin FIG. 1 for simplicity, although it will be recognized that comparablearchitectures with multiple origination points, distribution servers,VOD servers, and/or CPE devices (as well as different networktopologies) may be utilized consistent with the invention. For example,the headend architecture of FIG. 1 a (described in greater detail below)may be used.

The data/application origination point 102 comprises any medium thatallows data and/or applications (such as a VOD-based or “Watch TV”application) to be transferred to a distribution server 104. This caninclude for example a third party data source, application vendorwebsite, CD-ROM, external network interface, mass storage device (e.g.,RAID system), etc. Such transference may be automatic, initiated uponthe occurrence of one or more specified events (such as the receipt of arequest packet or ACK), performed manually, or accomplished in anynumber of other modes readily recognized by those of ordinary skill. Theapplication distribution server 104 comprises a computer system wheresuch applications can enter the network system. Distribution servers arewell known in the networking arts, and accordingly not described furtherherein.

The VOD server 105 comprises a computer system where on-demand contentcan be received from one or more of the aforementioned data sources 102and enter the network system. These servers may generate the contentlocally, or alternatively act as a gateway or intermediary from adistant source.

The CPE 106 includes any equipment in the “customers' premises” (orother locations, whether local or remote to the distribution server 104)that can be accessed by a distribution server 104.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a, one exemplary embodiment of a headendarchitecture useful with the present invention is described. As shown inFIG. 1 a, the headend architecture 150 comprises typical headendcomponents and services including billing module 152, subscribermanagement system (SMS) and CPE configuration management module 154,cable-modem termination system (CMTS) and OOB system 156, as well asLAN(s) 158, 160 placing the various components in data communicationwith one another. It will be appreciated that while a bar or bus LANtopology is illustrated, any number of other arrangements as previouslyreferenced (e.g., ring, star, etc.) may be used consistent with theinvention. It will also be appreciated that the headend configurationdepicted in FIG. 1 a is high-level, conceptual architecture and thateach MSO may have multiple headends deployed using custom architectures.

The exemplary architecture 150 of FIG. 1 a further includes amultiplexer-encrypter-modulator (MEM) 162 coupled to the HFC network 101adapted to process or condition content for transmission over thenetwork. The distribution servers 164 are coupled to the LAN 160, whichprovides access to the MEM 162 and network 101 via one or more fileservers 170. The VOD servers 105 are coupled to the LAN 160 as well,although other architectures may be employed (such as for example wherethe VOD servers are associated with a core switching device such as an802.3z Gigabit Ethernet device). As previously described, information iscarried across multiple channels. Thus, the headend must be adapted toacquire the information for the carried channels from various sources.Typically, the channels being delivered from the headend 150 to the CPE106 (“downstream”) are multiplexed together in the headend, aspreviously described and sent to neighborhood hubs (FIG. 1 b) via avariety of interposed network components.

It will also be recognized, however, that the multiplexing operation(s)need not necessarily occur at the headend 150 (e.g., in theaforementioned MEM 162). For example, in one variant, at least a portionof the multiplexing is conducted at a BSA switching node or hub (seediscussion of FIG. 1 c provided subsequently herein). As yet anotheralternative, a multi-location or multi-stage approach can be used, suchas that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,602,820, entitled “APPARATUS ANDMETHODS FOR MULTI-STAGE MULTIPLEXING IN A NETWORK” incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety, which discloses inter cilia improvedmultiplexing apparatus and methods that allow such systems todynamically compensate for content (e.g., advertisements, promotions, orother programs) that is inserted at a downstream network node such as alocal hub, as well as “feed-back” and “feed forward” mechanisms fortransferring information between multiplexing stages.

Content (e.g., audio, video, data, files, etc.) is provided in eachdownstream (in-band) channel associated with the relevant service group.To communicate with the headend or intermediary node (e.g., hub server),the CPE 106 may use the out-of-band (OOB) or DOCSIS channels andassociated protocols. The OCAP 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 (and subsequent)specification provides for exemplary networking protocols bothdownstream and upstream, although the invention is in no way limited tothese approaches.

“Switched” Networks—

FIG. 1 c illustrates an exemplary “switched” network architecture alsouseful with the present invention. While a so-called “broadcast switchedarchitecture” or BSA network is illustrated in this exemplaryembodiment, it will be recognized that the present invention is in noway limited to such architectures.

Switching architectures allow improved efficiency of bandwidth use forordinary digital broadcast programs. Ideally, the subscriber is unawareof any difference between programs delivered using a switched networkand ordinary streaming broadcast delivery.

FIG. 1 c shows the implementation details of one exemplary embodiment ofthis broadcast switched network architecture. Specifically, the headend150 contains switched broadcast control and media path functions 190,192; these element cooperating to control and feed, respectively,downstream or edge switching devices 194 at the hub site which are usedto selectively switch broadcast streams to various service groups. A BSAserver 196 is also disposed at the hub site, and implements functionsrelated to switching and bandwidth conservation (in conjunction with amanagement entity 198 disposed at the headend). An optical transportring 197 is utilized to distribute the dense wave-division multiplexed(DWDM) optical signals to each hub in an efficient fashion.

Co-owned and co-pending U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2003/0056217 filed Sep. 20, 2001 and entitled “TECHNIQUE FOR EFFECTIVELYPROVIDING PROGRAM MATERIAL IN A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM”, incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety, describes one exemplary broadcastswitched digital architecture useful with the present invention,although it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill that otherapproaches and architectures may be substituted.

In addition to “broadcast” content (e.g., video programming), thesystems of FIGS. 1 a and 1 c (and 1 d discussed below) also deliverInternet data services using the Internet protocol (IP), although otherprotocols and transport mechanisms of the type well known in the digitalcommunication art may be substituted. One exemplary delivery paradigmcomprises delivering MPEG-based video content, with the videotransported to user PCs (or IP-based STBs) over the aforementionedDOCSIS channels comprising MPEG (or other video codec such as H.264 orAVC) over IP over MPEG. That is, the higher layer MPEG- or other encodedcontent is encapsulated using an IP protocol, which then utilizes anMPEG packetization of the type well known in the art for delivery overthe RF channels. In this fashion, a parallel delivery mode to the normalbroadcast delivery exists; i.e., delivery of video content both overtraditional downstream QAMs to the tuner of the user's STB or otherreceiver device for viewing on the television, and also as packetized IPdata over the DOCSIS QAMs to the user's PC or other IP-enabled devicevia the user's cable modem. Delivery in such packetized modes may beunicast, multicast, or broadcast.

Referring again to FIG. 1 c, the IP packets associated with Internetservices are received by edge switch 194, and in one embodimentforwarded to the cable modem termination system (CMTS) 199. The CMTSexamines the packets, and forwards packets intended for the localnetwork to the edge switch 194. Other packets are discarded or routed toanother component.

The edge switch 194 forwards the packets receive from the CMTS 199 tothe QAM modulator 189, which transmits the packets on one or morephysical (QAM-modulated RF) channels to the CPE. The IP packets aretypically transmitted on RF channels (e.g., DOCSIS QAMs) that aredifferent that the RF channels used for the broadcast video and audioprogramming, although this is not a requirement. The CPE 106 are eachconfigured to monitor the particular assigned RF channel (such as via aport or socket ID/address, or other such mechanism) for IP packetsintended for the subscriber premises/address that they serve.

“Packetized” Networks—

While the foregoing network architectures described herein can (and infact do) carry packetized content (e.g., IP over MPEG for high-speeddata or Internet TV, MPEG2 packet content over QAM for MPTS, etc.), theyare often not optimized for such delivery, Hence, in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, a “packet optimized”delivery network is used for carriage of the packet content (e.g., IPTVcontent). FIG. 1 d illustrates one exemplary implementation of such anetwork, in the context of a 3GPP IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) networkwith common control plane and service delivery platform (SDP), asdescribed in co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/256,903 filed Oct. 30, 2009 and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FORPACKETIZED CONTENT DELIVERY OVER A CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK”, which isnow published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0103374 ofthe same title filed on Apr. 21, 2010, each of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. Such a network provides significantenhancements in terms of common control of different services,implementation and management of content delivery sessions according tounicast or multicast models, etc.; however, it is appreciated that thevarious features of the present invention are in no way limited to anyof the foregoing architectures.

Media Option Network Architecture—

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a content delivery networkarchitecture 200 for enabling media functionality options configured inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated,promotions are provided to a plurality of user CPE 106. The promotedcontent is in one embodiment configured to contain various embeddedtriggers which are selectable by the users. The triggers, when selected,enable various media functionality options as will be discussed herein.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned embedded trigger comprises thosedisclosed according to the apparatus and methods discussed in previouslyincorporated co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/948,271 filed on Sep. 22, 2004 and entitled “SCHEDULING TRIGGERAPPARATUS AND METHOD”, and co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/460,095 filed on Jul. 26, 2006 and entitled “SCHEDULINGTRIGGER APPARATUS AND METHOD”. As discussed therein, a scheduling“trigger” or other artifact is associated with a promotion of an eventto be broadcast or made available in the future. This trigger orartifact invokes a desired response, such as tuning to a prescribedchannel or causing recording to start, causing a recording to bescheduled, sending a reminder, etc. within the viewer's receiver or CPE(e.g., DSTB) coincident with or related to the promoted event.

Advantageously, the present invention allows the user to readilyschedule an event for viewing, recording, etc. without having to programrecorders or navigate difficult-to-use menu structures or programguides. The embedded or associated triggers (E/ATs) within the promotionallow the viewer to control their viewing or recording of the promotedevent without having to take further actions. This approach also allowsthe viewer to schedule viewing of the event when their interest ishighest; i.e., at the time of the promotion. The more work that theviewer must perform to view the promoted event, the less likely they areto view or record the event. Similarly, the greater the elapsed timebetween the promoted event and the event itself, the less likely theviewer is to remember the date and time of the event. Hence, theembedded triggers provide a solution which is both extremely simple touse, and which allows effectively instantaneous scheduling or commitmentof the user to watch the promoted event.

The use of embedded triggers as discussed herein may be facilitated viaa download of an embedded/associated trigger application to (or otherinstallation of software modifications of) client devices, and usingexisting infrastructure and no hardware changes.

In one embodiment, the apparatus of the invention embeds or associatesone or more scheduling triggers within the promotional broadcast orcontent distribution. The trigger, when delivered and made cognizable tothe end user, may be in any form including e.g., a visual form, audibleform, tactical form, or a combination thereof. For example, the triggeruser interface (UI) may comprise an icon or menu that is visuallydisplayed during or coincident with the promotional broadcast or use ofthe distributed content. In one variant, the menu comprises auser-navigable visual menu disposed along, e.g., one edge of the viewersscreen when the viewer is tuned to the promotional broadcast. Theembedded/associated trigger functionality can also be madeuser-configurable, such as where the user can customize the operation ofthe trigger for their preferences. In another variant, an audible promptor promotion is played (e.g., a short audio clip describing the eventand time, as well as instructions for selecting this event, orscheduling a reminder, tuning directly to the event, and/or setting arecording).

In yet another implementation, the promotion comprises an electronicmail or other message, such as one containing a “Flash” multimediamodule, that is sent to the CPE or another client device (such as a PC,laptop, smart phone, or handheld computer) that utilizes the localapplication environment to present the promotional material to the user.A client portion of the embedded/associated trigger and schedulingapplication (as described below) can also be used to providecross-platform functionality, such as between a mobile wireless deviceand the user's CPE.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a media functionality server 202 at thenetwork headend 150 is configured to make decisions regarding whichmedia functionality or options to provide within a given promotion, andto enable and process user selections. In one embodiment, the network101 comprises a managed (e.g., MSO-controlled) content and data deliverynetwork, such as e.g., a content distribution network of the typediscussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-1 d herein.

The media functionality server 202 is in communication with a subscriberinformation server 210, a remote digital video recorder (DVR) managemententity 212, and various entities for promotion management includinge.g., an insertion management entity 204, an electronic program guide(EPG) generation entity 208, and a promotion campaign management entity206.

The subscriber information server (SIS) 210 receives subscriber requestseither directly from the CPE 106 via the network 101, or indirectly fromthe media functionality server 202 or other intermediary entity. The SIS210 stores a plurality of records comprising information regardingindividual ones of a plurality of premises (e.g., subscriberhouseholds). The records may include e.g., information describing anumber of service addresses on an account, information describing thenumber and capabilities of the devices registered to an account (such ase.g., DVR capabilities, etc.), etc. When a request is received, the SIS210 uses information within the request to identify a premises recordassociated to the requesting device; this information is provided to themedia functionality server 202 for use in making decisions regardingwhich media functionality/options to provide.

Records regarding removal or addition of new CPE 106 to a home network(or otherwise associated to a subscriber account or registered to asubscriber account) are generated and stored at the SIS 210.

The remote management entity 212 communicates with the mediafunctionality server 202. In the instance that a user selects the mediafunctionality or option of recording a program, the remote managemententity 212 is provided this information (such as from the mediafunctionality server 202) and provides one or more commands eitherdirectly to the user device 106 or to the server 202 for delivery to thedevice 106. The commands sent cause a DVR associated to the CPE 106 toautomatically record a particular content. In one embodiment, apromotion may comprise an advertisement (such as a short clip ortrailer) for a movie that will broadcast on a particular channel at somefuture date/time. The server 202 may decide to place one or moreembedded triggers within the promotion for recording the promoted movie.If the user is interested in recording the program, the user may selectthe embedded trigger (via a user interface displayed on a displayassociated with the user's CPE 106). A signal indicating a selection ofthe embedded trigger by the user is passed via the interposed networkinfrastructure to the remote management entity 212, which then creates acommand signal. The command signal in one implementation includesmetadata (e.g., rendered in XML, HTML, RDF, XMP, etc.) derived from thepromotion, from the signal indicating the user's selection, or receivedseparately therefrom, such as from the media functionality server 202.In one embodiment, the command signal is provided directly to the CPE106 from the remote management entity 212. Alternatively, the commandsignal may be provided indirectly thereto, such as via one or moreintermediary servers or processes.

The remote management entity 212 may also be used to schedule remindersand send command signals which cause one or more reminder messages to bedisplayed on the CPE 106. In one embodiment, a promotion may comprise,in addition to the advertisement itself, an embedded trigger placedtherein by the media functionality server 202 for reminding the userabout the promoted event. The user may then select the embedded triggervia a GUI on the CPE 106 display device to schedule reminders. Selectionof the reminder trigger is indicated to the remote management entity 212(directly or via the media functionality server 202). The remotemanagement entity 212 generates a command signal which indicates to theCPE 106 receiving the signal that a reminder should be displayed. Themanagement entity 212 uses metadata within the promotion, within theuser selection signal, or received from another entity (such as themedia functionality server 202) to generate the reminder. The selectionof the embedded remind trigger may, for a single promoted event,initiate one or more reminders.

As will be discussed below with respect to the insertion managemententity 204, a control entity may establish a number, frequency, timewindow, etc. for sending reminders. In one variant, the one or morecommand signals indicating that a reminder is to be displayed are storedat the remote management entity 212, and distributed according to apredetermined schedule established by a network operator (such as viathe insertion management entity 204). Alternatively, the one or morecommand signals may be provided upon generation thereof to the CPE 106,which then stores each.

At a date/time provided in the command, the reminder message isdisplayed. The content of the message itself may be received from themedia functionality server 202 either at the time of generation of thecommands at the remote management entity 212, or pulled therefrom at thedate/time indicated in the command. Alternatively, other existing CPEreminder capabilities may be leveraged for message generation anddelivery.

In another variant, the record commands and/or the reminder commands arebroadcast to multiple users. In other words, the media functionalityserver 202 and/or the remote management entity 212 maintains a list orother record of the individual ones of the plurality of CPE 106 whichselected the record or remind command. For example, if a group of usershas selected a trigger to record a future event, the remote managemententity 212 and/or server 202 may generate a single command signalconfigured to cause the recording. The single signal is then providedvia the network 101 to those devices which so requested. It isappreciated that the number of command signals may vary based on thevarious CPE 106 configurations and other factors, such as the nearnessin time in which several requests (trigger selection signals) arereceived.

The insertion management entity 204, the promotion campaign managemententity 206, and the EPG generation system 208 also provide informationuseful in the decision-making process of the media functionality server202.

The insertion management entity 204 provides mechanisms for acontrolling entity (such as a network operator or promotion manager,which may be a third party and disposed remotely from the networkoperator) to establish the details with respect to the mediafunctionality options to be provided in a given promotion or promotioncampaign. The insertion management entity 204 is configured to, in oneembodiment, insert the embedded triggers associated with each mediafunctionality or option into a content stream. Additionally, theinsertion management entity provides an interface for enabling thenetwork operator or promotion manager to manage various functions andsettings of a particular promotion campaign. The insertion managemententity 204 communicates with the promotion campaign management entity206 to enable the user to manage the promotion campaign.

The promotion campaign management entity 206 comprises one or moreprocesses (e.g., algorithms rendered as applications or computerprograms) for establishing a promotion campaign, making changes to anexisting campaign, and establishing and changing parameters ofindividual ones of media functionality options provided within thecampaign. An interface for enabling a user (i.e., the network operatoror promotion manager) to interact with the process of the promotioncampaign management entity 206 may be run from either the promotioncampaign management entity 206 itself, or another entity of the headend150 (such as e.g., the insertion management entity 204 and/or the mediafunctionality server 202), or a non-MSO entity such as a remote server.

Information from a broadcast schedule is used in developing a promotioncampaign. For example, the network operator or promotion manager mayelect to display certain promotions during a broadcast presentation ofother content similar in context, genre, actors, relevance,demographics/psychographics, etc. to the content promoted. To do this,the operator/manager in one implementation uses channel line-up orbroadcast schedule information from an EPG generator 208.

The functionalities of the described entities of the networkarchitecture 200 of FIG. 2 may not necessarily be assigned as discussed.Rather, other embodiments (such as those where one or moredevices—including those not discussed in the embodiment of FIG. 2—sharea given function) may be utilized consistent with the invention. Thenetwork embodiment of FIG. 2 a, for example, illustrates an exemplarynetwork having certain ones of the aforementioned functionalitydistributed across multiple (extant and additional) headend entities.

As shown in FIG. 2 a, the network 250 generally comprises a so-called“ready/remind/record” (RRR) server 252 figured to integrate with variousentities for enabling media functionality options similar to the mediafunctionality server discussed above.

In one exemplary implementation, the RRR server 252 is configured toprovide reminders to various CPE 106 in the network, and/or enablecontent recording to be scheduled thereat via the RRR server 252integrated to one or more remote DVR APIs 262. The remote DVR APIsenable recordings and reminders to be scheduled remotely from thenetwork to the CPE 106 in communication therewith. In one embodiment, asdiscussed above, such reminders and recording functions are enabled viacontrol messages which are generated at, e.g., the RRR server 252 anddistributed using the remote APIs 262.

The RRR server 252 is further configured to utilize information receivedfrom a subscriber information system (SIS) 260 and channel informationservice bus 258 to provide detailed reporting within the system and toensure that conditions set forth by the campaign manager 268 are metwhen embedded triggers are inserted into promotions (as discussedbelow). In addition, message text may be stored at the RRR server 252and provided to an ETAG entity 254 for insertion into a promotion as anembedded trigger (also discussed below).

Advertisements or promotions are in the illustrated configurationmanaged via the Audience Measurement (AM) system 256, and the campaignmanager 268. The AM system 256 provides, inter alia, cross-platformreporting, an analytics data repository, channel lineup information, andprogramming data, which may be pulled/pushed from other headend entitiesand provided to other entities of the system. In one example,information from the AM system 256 is provided to the RRR server 252(for integration therewith).

Additionally, information generated at the AM system 256 may be providedto a campaign manager 268. The campaign manager 268 is used to createand update advertisement campaigns including by establishing times,dates, running length, parameters preferences, etc. for a particularpromotion or set of promotions (referred to as a “campaign”). Thecampaign manager may use information received from a service bus 258 orother entity containing information relating to a channel lineup. In oneembodiment, the campaign manager 268 comprises e.g., the AdPoint®campaign manager 268 as discussed in the Tandberg Televisionspecification entitled “AdPoint® Advanced Advertising Platform” datedMarch 2008”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In another variant, the campaign manager and promotion managementservices discussed in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/503,749 filed on Jul. 15, 2009 and entitled “METHODS ANDAPPARATUS FOR EVALUATING AN AUDIENCE IN A CONTENT-BASED NETWORK”, andco-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/503,772 filedon Jul. 15, 2009 and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING ANAUDIENCE IN A CONTENT-BASED NETWORK”, previously incorporated herein byreference, is used in conjunction with the present invention. Asdiscussed therein, the aforementioned apparatus and methods may be usedfor identifying, creating and distributing audience or viewer qualitiesto an advertisement management system and/or an advertisement decisionmaker. The data is provided in real time (or near real time) therebyenabling audience monitoring for all content, including inter alia,broadcast, VOD, and DVR content.

In this manner, more targeted advertising campaigns are created throughuse of an algorithm that combines advertising placement opportunitieswith audience qualifiers (i.e., psychographic, geographic, demographic,characteristic, etc. classifications) to create an advertising“inventory” that can be more readily monetized.

In different variants, the inventory can be based on historical and/or“real time” data, such that adverting placements can be conducteddynamically based on prevailing audience characteristics or constituencyat that time. The advertisement management system then, in one suchimplementation, uses the gathered audience information to correlateparticular advertisements or other content thereto. In one variant, analgorithm is used to analyze audience qualifiers (i.e., attributes of anaudience or its behavior), and determine the “proximity” of a givenaudience (e.g., that currently viewing a program, where an impendingplacement opportunity will occur) to a set of audience qualifiers of atarget audience of an advertisement or promotion. The placementopportunity can then be optimized for one or more variables (e.g.,proximity, revenue, impressions, etc.) by selecting the best fittingadvertisement for that opportunity, such as by evaluation of one or morecorrelating or statistical parameters indicative of the quality of “fit”or correspondence. The advertising inventory is managed in oneimplementation via the promotion campaign management system 206 (andassociated advertisement decision maker process).

Subscriber privacy and anonymity are maintained in one embodiment via,e.g., hashing or encrypting data relating to the CPE and/or subscriber,thus ensuring that stored data is not traceable to a specific useraccount. The hashing process may be accomplished in a variety of ways.For example, in one embodiment, a one-way cryptographic hashing functionis utilized, such as the hashing functions described in co-owned andco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/186,452 filed Jul. 20,2005 and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BOUNDARY-BASED NETWORKOPERATION,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.The MAC address, TUNER ID, and/or TUNER USE variables are hashed so thatthe identity of the originating CPE/subscriber are anonymous. In thismanner, subscriber privacy is effectively maintained.

In alternative embodiments, only information that has been designated bya consumer or user (e.g., by “opting in”) is eligible for contentcollection and/or analysis by the campaign management system 206. Inthis manner, subscriber privacy is effectively safeguarded, and usercontrol of their private information (including for example preferencesor user profile) is protected as well.

Additionally, the methods and apparatus discussed in previouslyincorporated co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/503,710 filed on Jul. 15, 2009 and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUSFOR TARGETED SECONDARY CONTENT INSERTION” may be utilized for managingadvertisement or promotion campaigns. As discussed therein, datarelating to audience or viewer qualities is identified, created anddistributed via the advertisement management system and an associatedadvertisement decision maker. An advertising “inventory” is created andrelated to audiences by combining the audience data with advertisementplacement opportunities. The promotion campaign management system 206may further measure and manage such advertising inventory. Suchmeasurement provides inter alia an accounting of sold inventory, andmeasurement accumulated over time allows the value of the inventory tobe realized. These methods and apparatus give a network operator orother entity the ability to offer new inventory with a high degree ofconfidence that booked orders will meet their audience penetration or“impression” goals or targets.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus and methodsdiscussed herein are further adapted to manage advertising campaigns forone or more advertisement/promotional providers in order to, forexample, increase advertising or associated sales revenue for an MSO, aswell as to increase the likelihood a particular advertiser will reachits targeted audience as precisely as possible (and within anylimitations of an advertiser-MSO defined relationship).

In addition, the campaign manager 268 (and/or the promotion campaignmanagement system 206) may be configured to enable a network operator toconfigure various campaign parameters. In one embodiment, a networkoperator may set a time value threshold (such as e.g., 5 minutes pastthe start time), after which the system will, rather than recording acurrently broadcast episode, “roll” the recording to apply to asubsequent episode. Rolling episodes as described herein may beaccomplished for example via a Boolean operator which, when true,indicates that the current episode has passed the pre-determinedthreshold time value, and causes the media functionality server toautomatically schedule a recording of the next scheduled episodeinstead.

It will also be appreciated that the threshold may vary (evendynamically) as a function of the program, its content, and/or yet otherparameters. For example, in one such implementation, an algorithm isused to analyze the content of the program element (such as via speechrecognition technology, embedded indicators or cues, metadata, scores,etc.) to determine context associated with the content, which can beused to assess how far into a program that the threshold can be set.Certain programming (such as a hockey game for instance) may have acomparatively long duration, and little meaningful action during thefirst portion thereof. Consider the case where the game is scoreless inthe first period, and is an early-season game (such that there are noplayoff implications); such a game may have a very “deep” or latentthreshold. Alternatively, an episode of a highly dramatic one-hourseries will likely have meaningful (and even essential) content withinthe first few minutes, and hence would merit a very shallow or shortthreshold.

The foregoing logic may also apply to the functionality option ofproviding a reminder and/or forced tuning. Additionally, the foregoinglogic may apply to instances where the operation (e.g., reminding,recording, and/or force tuning) is selected at a first device, yet isperformed at one or more second devices (and optionally also at thefirst device).

In another embodiment, the network operator may configure a time valuethreshold (i.e., a length of time into the program broadcast), forceasing display of certain ones of a “record”, a “remind” and/or a“tune” media function in promotional content (having embedded triggersfor the media functions as discussed herein). For example, the networkoperator may be able to configure length of time into the program whenthe recording option should no longer be offered, such that if thelinear advertisement or promotion happens to be displayed in the firstseveral minutes of the intended target program, then within a certaintime range, the overlay or trigger used to schedule a recording maystill be selectable. The recording may occur on the device which selectsthe option and/or on other devices associated therewith.

In yet another embodiment, the user configurable parameters at thecampaign management system may further include a configuration elementto indicate whether a selected media function has been previouslyscheduled at the selecting device and/or other devices associatedtherewith. Upon viewer selection of a particular media functionality oroption, the system utilizes information stored at e.g., the mediafunctionality server to determine whether previous instances of the samefunction have already been scheduled for the promoted event. Then, usinga Boolean element, the system indicates whether a follow-up messageshould be displayed. The follow-up message indicates that the previousmedia function has been scheduled thereby reminding the viewer that ascheduled recording/reminder/force-tune for the program already exists.Exemplary follow up messages may be seen at e.g., FIG. 2 b, items 291,294, 295, 297, and 298. Additionally, if other unselected media optionsremain, the system may offer these options to the viewer as illustratedin the messages given at e.g., FIG. 2 b, items 292, 293, and 296.

As noted above, the campaign manager 268 and/or the promotion campaignmanagement system 206 may be configured to enable a network operator toconfigure various campaign parameters; i.e., define specific parametersassociated with a particular EBIF application in an interactivecampaign. In addition to the campaign manager 268, a CustomerRelationship Management (CRM) or Sales Management System (SMS) andtraffic and billing elements are also required to enter and implementthe configurable parameters. An exemplary embodiment of a user interfacefor enabling configuration of various parameters of a campaign via acampaign manager or other entity is illustrated at FIG. 2 c.

The campaign manager 268 and/or the promotion campaign management system206 of the exemplary embodiment is further configured to identifyenhanced TV binary interchange format (EBIF) applications which havebeen selected (such as by a network operator) as configurableapplications for bearing media functionality options. When a networkoperator enters a new campaign and selects a configurable application,the campaign manager enables the user to select (e.g. from a drop downlist) the network on which the promoted event is associated to. Thenetworks from which the user may select may be limited to those networksavailable in the particular market(s) and/or zone(s) in which thecampaign is predetermined to run. The available networks are listed in away that is easily recognizable to a user, and avoids unnecessarilyduplicating different named networks carrying the same content. That isto say, it is often the case that an MSO will create multiple versionsof the same network; for example, the city of Cleveland may have thefollowing “networks” in its channel maps: WEWS Cleveland ABC, WEWS LiveWell, WEWS Simulcast, WEWS/ABC, WEWS/ABC HD, WEWSHD, and WEWS-Test.Certain ones of these “networks” (for example WEWS-Test, WEWS Live Well)are not “networks” associated with actual subscriber viewership, whileothers represent valid versions of the same network. To avoid confusion,the content manager 268 and/or the promotion campaign management system206 will instead provide user-friendly names such as e.g., “ABCAffiliate”. The media functionality system then translates theuser-friendly name to the particular one of the versions of the networkfor which actual viewership occurs, and selects one standard definition(SD) version and one HD (where available) version for schedulingrecordings. For each user-friendly named network, the campaign manager268 and/or the promotion campaign management system 206 provides (inaddition to the user-friendly name), a logo associated with thatparticular network.

Additionally, the campaign manager 268 and/or the promotion campaignmanagement system 206 allows the user to select a date (such as througha calendar control) on which the promoted event will broadcast, or isotherwise available for viewing and recording. When providing a dateselection control, restrictions may be placed on the available dates tothose later than the current date, but less than or equal to adesignated end time of the campaign. For example, in one implementation,the user may alternately select either: (i) the local time to start arecording, along with a duration of the promoted event, or (ii) aprogram name associated to the promoted event (e.g. from a drop downlist). In the instance the user selects the program name, the system mayuse previously entered date/time and/or network information to narrowthe list of available names for selection to only those programs whichrun on the specified network and/or at the specified date/time.

As noted above, various time threshold values are utilized in exemplaryembodiments of the invention for comparison to a current time when thesystem determines whether to enable or disable a particular mediafunctionality or option. The campaign manager 268 and/or the promotioncampaign management system 206 are therefore configured to enable theuser to enter a specific time period for e.g., rolling a recording to anext episode instance, providing information regarding an existingselection for a particular media functionality option, and/or disablinga record and/or remind option. To this end, the user may be provided viaan interface to the campaign management system (such as that of FIG. 2c), an ability to designate a “Roll Episode”, “Follow up”, “RecordSeries” and/or “No Record Time” indicator. In the case where the userdesignates any of these, a selectable/deselectable indicator forproviding this functionality and additionally for entering a time period(where necessary) is provided. Selection/deselection of the indicatorallows the user to differentiate between episodic and non-episodic (ornon-series) content.

The system may establish certain ones of the aforementioned features asbeing selected by default, yet capable of deselection. Additionally, thesystem may establish a default time window or threshold of e.g., five(5) minutes into a program for disabling certain media functionalityoptions, as described supra. In addition, a “No Record Time” indicator(i.e., an indicator which disables a record function after a given timethreshold) may be provided a selectable range of time threshold valuesbased at least on the scheduled length of the promoted event, and/orsome duration established by the system.

The exemplary embodiments of the invention further provide mechanisms toaccount for and maintain continued operation over arbitrary plant and/orconfiguration changes within the network (which may occur unexpectedly).Such plant changes may include, e.g., (i) modification of a servicename, (ii) modification of the service ID(s) associated with aparticular station, and (iii) modification of the source ID(s)associated with particular content. In the instance a change cannot beautomatically managed, an alert is transmitted to one or more networkoperators and/or users via e.g., email. The message comprisesinformation indicating e.g., the change, the number of active campaignsaffected, and the number of total campaigns affected. In addition,records containing information regarding changes may be stored andaccessed for reporting, servicing, and error correction.

Referring back again to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 a, aninteractive server 270, HTTP entity tag (ETAG) entity 254, and ETAGproxy 264 are also illustrated as being in communication with theadvertisement management system 256, campaign manager 268 and RRR server252. The foregoing entities are utilized for trigger insertionmanagement (as is performed by the insertion management entity 204 ofFIG. 2 above).

As shown in FIG. 2 a, the interactive server 270 provides templates forthe various media functions. The items 275 and 276 of FIG. 2 billustrate two exemplary templates useful with the invention; however,other configurations and designs will appreciated by those of ordinaryskill given the present disclosure (the illustrated templates beingmerely exemplary of the general concepts). The interactive serverenables an operator to author interactive advertisements (iAds) usingexisting templates for distribution to the ETAG entity 254 according tothe campaign established by the campaign manager 268 and/or advertisingmanagement system 256.

The interactive advertisements generated at the interactive server areprovided to the ETAG entity 254, which uses information gained frome.g., the RRR server 252 and/or the advertisement management system 256to insert appropriate text, process, and finalize the embedded triggermessages which are sent to the CPE 106. Examples of various exemplaryfinalized embedded trigger messages are shown at e.g., FIG. 2 b and willbe discussed individually in detail below. The ETAG entity 254 furtherinserts application and signaling information into the MPEG stream whichis transmitted to the CPE 106.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ETAG system 254 causes theinteractive application to be streamed to the CPE 106. The ETAG proxy264 is an optional device, which assists in routing EBIF traffic fromCPE 106 to the headend systems in the instance that these do notcommunicate directly. The ETAG proxy 264 identifies and routes trafficfrom the CPE 106 to individual servers at the headend. For instance, theETAG proxy 264 may route non-standards based traffic away from headendservers which expect or are configured only for standards-based traffic(e.g. IAM messages destined for ETAG), and instead route this traffic toserver entities configured to handle non-standards based traffic. In oneexemplary implementation, the ETAG proxy 264 is configured tocommunicate between the RRR server 252 and the CPE 106. The ETAG proxy264 receives proprietary HTTP communications from the CPE 106, andtransmits these to the RRR server 252. The RRR server 252 in turnaggregates such communications from the CPE 106, and distributes them tothe AM system (allowing for appropriate anonymization) in order toallow, inter alma, integrated cross platform effectiveness reporting.

In one embodiment, the embedded trigger messages utilize enhanced TVbinary interchange format (EBIF) as disclosed in Open Cable™Specification entitled “Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format 1.0”OC-SP-ETV-BIF1.0-I06-110128 dated Jan. 28, 2011 and incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety. However other interactive content formatsmay be used as well consistent with the invention.

The CPE 106 are configured to receive content from the network. Theinteractive content (i.e., embedded triggers for providing mediafunctions) are also provided within a content stream in the exemplaryimplementation. The CPE 106 display the overlay (such as thoseillustrated in FIG. 2 b) which comprises the appropriate text asinserted at the ETAG entity 254 and generated or stored at the RRRserver 252. Various selectable virtual “buttons” or icons are alsodisplayed, which upon selection thereof trigger messages to betransmitted from the device 106 upstream to the network. For example, ifa user of the device 106 selects a “remind” virtual button, a signal isreceived at the network which indicates that the particular device is tobe reminded about a promoted event at a given date/time. At the givendate/time, a reminder message is transmitted thereto.

It is appreciated that the triggers may be configured to remain inactive(or unselectable) until a signal is received from the network activatingthe buttons. In this manner, the campaign manager 268 or other entitymay ensure that an entire promotion was viewed prior to selection of afunction thereof.

The exemplary CPE 106 may comprise for example a set top box (STB), adigital video recorder (DVR), gateway, or any number of consumerdevices. For example, the CPE 106 may comprise PCs, laptop computers,portable music players (e.g., MP3 players, iPods™, etc.), portable videoplayers, cameras, video recorders, smart phones, tablet computers, etc.,which are coupled to the network via any number of different interfaces.The CPE 106 is configured to receive a plurality of video formats ofvarious resolutions and bitrates including, without limitation, MPEG-1,MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVC/H.264, WMV, VC-1, AVI and Real.

The CPE 106 is not required to contain a decoder for decodingaudio/video/media; however, it will be recognized that such decodercapability (as well as transcoding, e.g. decoding in a first format andthen encoding in a second format) and/or transrating capability (i.e.,processing so as to change bitrate, or establish a constant bitrateoutput) can be implemented within the CPE 106 or associated device ifdesired.

In one exemplary embodiment, the CPE 106 is compliant with OpenCable™Home Networking Architecture as disclosed in OpenCable™ SpecificationHome Networking Protocol 2.0 (0C-SP-HNP1.0-I01-080418 dated Apr. 18,2008), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Asdiscussed therein, a compliant CPE 106 includes, inter alia,compatibility with the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)requirements such as DLNA version 1.0 or the later version thereof. Thiscapability allows, among other things, rendering of content in DLNA 1.5format.

In another exemplary embodiment, the foregoing apparatus and networkconfigurations may further enable a first client device 106 to schedulea recording, schedule a reminder, and force-tune (including scheduling aforce-tune event for a future date/time) other devices in communicationtherewith. For example, a first CPE 106 may receive a promotion with anembedded trigger associated to a media functionality option. The firstdevice may select the trigger, and then assign one or more seconddevices to be triggered to record, be reminded, and/or tune to thepromoted event. Alternatively, the first and second devices may both besignaled to record, remind and/or be tuned to the promoted event.Examples of such device control are discussed in previously referencedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/948,271 filed on Sep. 22, 2004 andentitled “SCHEDULING TRIGGER APPARATUS AND METHOD”, co-owned, co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/460,095 filed on Jul. 26, 2006 andentitled “SCHEDULING TRIGGER APPARATUS AND METHOD”. In addition, theaforementioned concepts may be used to create a home network such that,when a trigger is selected in on one home device, the user may select tosimultaneously (or alternatively) select other devices in the home toreceive the content, schedule a recording, receive a reminder, etc.

The CPE 106 physically and logically interfaces with other CPE 106. Thepresent invention also contemplates the use of different types ofphysical/logical interfaces, including a substantially universal orconverged interface (such as USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI, IEEE-1394,DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, etc.), or alternatively, a plurality ofdiscrete interfaces.

As will be discussed in greater detail below, in one implementation, theCPE 106 acts as a “converter” of sorts, converting content and datareceived at the CPE 106 to a format suitable for the one or more secondCPE 106.

Moreover, content transmission between client devices may furtherinclude rights management (e.g., Digital Rights Management (DRM)) and/orcopy-protection mechanisms. For example, “protected” content may bedelivered to the CPE 106 with the appropriate security package. The CPE106 receives and authenticates the security package. In one variant, norendering or recording device (e.g., CPE 106) is permitted to render orrecord protected content without proper authentication of itself to thenetwork, and authentication of the security package. Still further,authentication (such as by previous registration of the devices to theCPE 106) may be required prior to the delivery of protected content fromthe CPE 106 to other devices.

In another variant, the rendering device is configured to authenticatethe source of the content (i.e., will only render or record content froman authenticated source). For example, the apparatus and methodsdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/080,693 entitled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK CONTENT DOWNLOAD AND RECORDING” andfiled Mar. 14, 2005 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,can be used to provide such functionality, although other approaches maybe used as well.

As indicated above FIG. 2 b, illustrates various messages or overlayswith selectable triggers that may be displayed to a viewer according tothe present invention.

The message of item 278 of FIG. 2 b is displayed to enable a viewer torecord a program (promoted in the promotion on which the message isoverlaid) on all boxes in the viewer's home. Item 279 is displayed toenabling only on the viewer's current CPE or settop box.

The message 280 is an exemplary “remind” message which is to bedisplayed to viewers to enable them to schedule reminders. The messagesillustrated at items 281 and 282 of FIG. 2 b enable a user toadditionally or alternatively schedule a reminder and/or a recording atall devices in the home and at the current device only, respectively. Anability to select from among a list of devices may also be provided.

The message 283 of FIG. 2 b is an exemplary “ready” message which is tobe displayed to viewers to enable them to tune to an in progressbroadcast or other immediately available content (such as e.g., PPVcontent, DVR or NPVR content, on-demand content, etc.). The messagesillustrated at items 284 and 285 enable a viewer to additionally oralternatively cause other devices within the home network toautomatically tune to and/or record a program at all devices in thenetwork and the current device only, respectively. An ability to selectfrom among a list of devices may also be provided. In the instance acurrently broadcast of the promoted content has passed a predeterminedtime threshold (e.g., more than 5 minutes into the playback), themessages of items 286 and/or 287 may be displayed.

In the instance a program promoted in an advertisement has alreadybegun, the messages 288 and/or 289 may be displayed to enable a viewerto view the in-progress content and/or set a reminder, and/or recordingfor the next episode or subsequent iteration of the program (such as inthe instance a particular movie will show more than once on a givenchannel within a time period).

As discussed elsewhere herein, in some instances, a user may havepreviously scheduled particular media function at the time they selectthe same function from the embedded trigger on a promotion oradvertisement. The message 291 for example, may be displayed in the casea “reminder” function is selected after having previously scheduled areminder.

The message 294 may be displayed in the case a “record” function isselected after having previously scheduled a recording.

In another variant, further media options may be displayed following aselection of a repeated function. For example, the messages 292 and/or293 may be displayed to enable the additional function of recordingeither at all of the devices in the home network, or only at the deviceon which the message is displayed if a user selects to be reminded of apromoted event for which a reminder was previously scheduled.

The message 296 may be displayed to schedule a reminder if the userselects to record a promoted event for which a recording was previouslyscheduled. An ability to select from among a list of devices on whichthe additional media functions will occur may also be provided.

Finally, in the instance no additional media functions exist, themessages 297 and/or 298 may be displayed.

Information indicating that a particular media functionality trigger hasdisplayed and information listing a reason for the display of thetrigger are stored at e.g. the media functionality server and/or the RRRserver. Records regarding the display thereof are configured to bestored in such a way that they may be extracted through both a commondatabase and service bus methods. Such records may be used, as discussedbelow, for reporting and performance purposes.

While illustrated above in the context of media functions occurring on asingle device or all devices in the viewer's home, it is appreciatedthat one or more of the foregoing messages may be adapted to furtherenable a user to select particular ones of devices associated therewithon which to e.g., schedule a reminder and/or recording, cause a tuningevent, etc.

It is also appreciated that the foregoing apparatus may be furtherutilized to perform the foregoing media functionality options (such ase.g., scheduling a recording, scheduling a reminder, and/orautomatically tuning) across multiple programs or content types. Forexample, an embedded trigger and associated message may be overlaid on apromotion or advertisement for a particular television series. Themessage enables the viewer to perforin the function (e.g.,record/remind/tune) for all episodes of the series despite date/time,channel, etc., or elect some or all media function options for only newepisodes or those appearing on a particular channel and/or at aparticular date/time.

In another variant, the overlays may be “telescopic” in nature such thatinterest in a first promoted event may prompt the system to provideadditional viewer options. For example, the viewer may be provided anopportunity to select an interest in a particular genre or actor andenable one or more of the media functions for all movies, all televisionprograms, etc. with the particular actor or of the particular genre uponselection of a first promoted event of the given actor and/or genre.

In yet another embodiment, the system may, upon user selection of amedia functionality option (such as e.g., “remind” and/or “record”),determine whether a related content has been previously stored at astorage entity associated to the user device, and suggest viewing ofthat content. For example, if a user selects to be reminded of atelevision series (promoted event), the system may determine whetherother instances of the series are already recorded on the user's device(e.g., DVR), and provide a message enabling the user to tune to therecorded previous episode.

In another example, the user may select to record a particular moviepromoted in an advertisement. Upon selection of the “record” function,the system may determine that the user has previously recorded the givenmovie, and therefore suggest the user view the previously recordedversion as opposed to and/or in addition to recording the new instance.

In another variant, the system may determine that the user haspreviously recorded other content which is similar to the promotedcontent (such as content which is by the same director, has the sameactor(s), and/or is of the same genre) and suggest viewing of thiscontent instead and/or in addition. It is still further appreciated thatthe system may further determine whether the user has viewed apreviously recorded content (e.g., a previous episode or the same orrelated content) and remind the user of this fact.

Still further, the exemplary apparatus and methods of co-owned,co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/414,576 filed on Mar. 30,2009 and entitled “RECOMMENDATION ENGINE APPARATUS AND METHODS” may beutilized to further provide content recommendations. As discussedtherein, content targeted to a user or group of users based onselections made at the user devices may be identified and recommended.In particular, mechanisms may be provided for particularly selectingcontent to align with a user's preferences (the latter which the viewerneed not enter manually). The content provided to the user is compiledfrom various distinct sources, including, inter alia, DVR, broadcasts,VOD systems, start over systems, etc. Additionally, the system may learn(and unlearn) the user's preferences and which content they are likelyto enjoy based on actions taken with regard to the content and presentthese as options within further promotions. The recommended content mayalternatively be displayed as a list or table of titles (and relatedinformation of interest), or fed to the user as a continuous contentstream on a virtual channel. In another embodiment, the compiled contentis presented to the user in conjunction with an electronic program guide(EPG) which may be personalized to that user if desired. Any of theforegoing mechanisms discussed above may be further provided therein,the herein discussed embedded triggers for providing the discussed mediafunctionalities (such as in the form of overlays, etc. discussedherein).

Methodology—

Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of a generalized method 300 forenabling media functionality/options is illustrated and described.

As shown, per step 302, appropriate media functionality options aredetermined for a particular promotion. The appropriate options may beestablished by a network operator via an insertion management entity,campaign management system, and a media functionality server (asindividual entities or as multiple entities having the functionality ofeach distributed across multiple individual entities). As will bediscussed in greater detail below, certain media functions may only beoffered at particular times or for particular content types, etc.;hence, the aforementioned determination step takes into account theserules (as entered at the insertion management system and/or the mediafunctionality server) as well as rules established to ensure thepromotion manager's needs are met (as entered via the campaignmanagement system).

Next per step 304, the promotion is displayed on a user device. As notedabove, the promotion includes at least one embedded interactive triggerfunction. The embedded interactive trigger function enables display of arespective at least one media functionality option (step 306). The mediafunctions are represented in the promotion by selectable iconsconfigured to be selected by a user via a user interface. Upon selectionof at least one of the selectable icon (step 308), a media functionalityis enabled.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a, an exemplary method 320 for determiningappropriate media function options to display in conjunction with apromoted event is shown and described. As shown, per step 322, it isfirst determined whether campaign restrictions are met. In one example,the campaign restrictions may be set forth by a network operator, andare stored at one or more entities comprising a promotion campaignmanagement system (as discussed above). In one embodiment, the campaignrestrictions include restrictions as to which of a plurality ofpromotional events are to have media functions associated therewith.Additional restrictions may include a number of times the promotionalevent may be displayed with an associated media functionality, and otherlimitations on the delivery of the promotional content (e.g., secondarycontent, or advertisement) itself. If campaign restrictions are not met,no media functionality options are displayed (step 330).

When it is determined that a particular promotion will not be associatedto an overlay comprising an embedded trigger, information regarding thisdecision (including a reason for the decision and other descriptiveinformation) is stored at e.g., the media functionality server and/orthe RRR server. As noted previously, this information is used forreporting and performance purposes and is made accessible via a commondatabase and service bus methods.

Other restrictions which may be evaluated at this step include forexample determinations as to the capabilities of the subscriber devicesassociated to an account, the number of devices associated to anaccount, and/or the service address associated to the account (in orderto determine geographic constraints on promotions, media functionalityoptions, etc.).

If the campaign restrictions are met, it is next determined at step 324whether the content being promoted in the promotion or advertisement iscurrently available. This determination is made in the exemplaryimplementation by comparing a current time to metadata indicating a dateand time for the promoted event and/or by consulting a channel line-upserver, an EPG generator, or the EPG itself.

Programming content which is not currently available will have displayedtherewith future media functionality options (step 328); programmingcontent which is currently available will have displayed therewithcurrent media functionality options (step 326). That is to say, certainmedia functionality options may only be appropriate when content iscurrently available for viewing (such as e.g., a tune immediatelyoption); hence, such options may only be displayed when the content iscurrently available. Other options (such as e.g., a reminder option) mayonly be appropriate for content which will display at some time in thefuture, therefore these are only appropriate when the promoted contentcomprises content which is not currently available but will be at afuture date/time.

In one embodiment, the various media functionality options include e.g.,(i) causing the device which selected the option to tune to the promotedevent immediately, (ii) enabling the device which selected the option tocause one or more additional devices to tune to the promoted eventimmediately, (iv) causing the device which selected the option to tuneto the promoted event at some date/time in the future, (iv) enabling thedevice which selected the option to additionally cause one or more otherdevices to tune to the promoted event at some date/time in the future,(v) causing a reminder regarding a promoted event to be sent to thedevice which selected the option, (vi) enabling the device whichselected the option to identify one or more additional devices toreceive reminders regarding a promoted event, (vii) causing a recordingdevice associated with the device which selected the option to recordcontent, and/or (viii) enabling the device which selected the option tocause one or more recording devices associated with one or morerespective other devices to additionally record content.

It is further appreciated that the programming content may in oneembodiment comprise episodic or recurring content. Hence, theaforementioned media functionality options may further comprise optionsfor forced tuning, recording, and/or reminding at each instance ofrecurrence of the programming content. It is appreciated that the forcetune event as discussed herein may comprise tuning to currentlybroadcast or immediately available content, and/or storing a signal tocause one or more devices to tune to the event at the date/time (in thefuture) it becomes available for viewing. Methods for enabling variousones of these media functionality options are discussed with respect toFIGS. 4-6 below.

Media Functionality Options—

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary method 400 for enabling a mediafunctionality option to view currently available content. Per step 402,a media functionality server receives a selection of an option to viewcurrently available content. The current availability of the content isdetermined in one implementation based on a type of content and acomparison of a current time to a start time and duration (whereappropriate). For example, DVR and VOD content are always immediatelyavailable, whereas broadcast content may only be available from ascheduled start time through the duration of the broadcast to ascheduled end time.

At step 404, the currently available content is provided to therequesting subscriber. Concurrent to the display of the requestedpromoted event, per step 406, additional current media functions/optionsare optionally displayed. For example, as an overlay to the promotedevent or the promotion, a subsequent message is provided to the userhaving one or more additional and selectable media functionality optionsavailable to the currently available program. In one exemplaryembodiment, the current media function option comprises an option toadditionally record the promoted event. However, as noted above, one ormore previously established configurable rules or parameters must beconsulted to determine whether a program is within a recording timeperiod prior to providing the “record” function to the viewer.

At step 408, additional future media functions/options are optionallyprovided to the viewer. As discussed above with respect to the optionaldisplay of additional current media options, the optional display of thefuture media options may be provided as an overlay to the promoted eventor may continue to be displayed within promotion. The future mediaoptions are presented in subsequent message(s) provided to the viewerproviding options to the viewer with respect to

It is noted that in the instance the subsequent options are provided asan overlay to the promoted event, the exemplary system is configured tocause the requesting device to tune to the promoted event (in accordancewith the viewer's selection of the request to view currently availablecontent). Then, using a subsequent EBIF application, a new message ispresented having the media functionality options represented asselectable icons.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method 500 for enabling a mediafunctionality option for setting a recording. Per step 502, a request torecord a promoted event is received at e.g., the RRR server 252 or mediafunctionality server 202. The request is transmitted in response to aselection of an embedded trigger within a promotion as discussed herein.Next, per step 504, it is determined whether a recordation has beenpreviously set for the promoted content by that viewer, and/or whetherit is on that device or other devices in the home or network. In oneembodiment, this is determined via information stored at a headendentity (such as e.g., the RRR server 252 and/or media functionalityserver 202). Alternatively, information stored at the device itself maybe utilized.

If a recording has been previously scheduled, per step 506, a messagereminding the viewer of the scheduled recording (including on whichdevices the recording is scheduled) is displayed (see e.g., FIG. 2 b).Then, per step 508 of the method 500, additional media functionalityoptions may be displayed. As noted previously, the additional optionsmay include options to be reminded of the upcoming promoted content,options to cause one or more devices to automatically tune to a promotedevent, options to cause additional devices to receive reminders, tuningsignals, and/or recording signals, etc.

If a recording has not previously been scheduled, then at step 510 it isdetermined whether the current time is within a time window for settinga recording for the promoted content. As noted above a campaignmanagement entity may establish one or more rules identifying a timevalue threshold after which a recording may no longer be set. Thepresent system evaluates the current time against the time valuethreshold to make this determination. If the present time is within theallowable recordation window, then per step 512 the recordation isscheduled. Subsequent media options may optionally be displayed (step514). If the present time is not within the allowable recordation window(i.e., is beyond the threshold), then per step 516 additional mediaoptions are displayed. For example, the system may “roll” the viewer tothe next episode (i.e., enable the viewer to schedule a recording forthe next episode).

When a recording is scheduled, the system ascertains whether series orsingle occurrence recording is appropriate. The system furtheridentifies whether the recording should be of a standard definition (SD)or high definition (HD) version of the content. Information used forthese determinations may be obtained from e.g., the campaign managemententity, subscriber information server, and other network entities asdiscussed above. These decisions are based in one implementation oncampaign configuration, settop box capabilities, the number of DVRsettop boxes on the subscriber account, and/or the number of serviceaddresses in the household.

The previously discussed configurable parameters indicate, in oneembodiment, whether a single occurrence or multiple occurrences ofcontent should be recorded. Additionally, user selections via theembedded triggers are utilized (information regarding these is stored ate.g., the RRR server 252 and/or media functionality entity 202). Thesystem determines whether to record an SD or HD (where available)version of the content, in one embodiment according to the table ofAppendix A hereto.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary method 600 for enabling a mediafunctionality option for setting a reminder is illustrated. Per step602, a selection of an embedded trigger indicating a request by a viewerto be reminded of a promoted event is received at e.g., the RRR server252 and/or media functionality server 202. At step 604, it is determinedwhether a previous reminder for the promoted event has already beenscheduled by that viewer and/or on that device or other devices in thehome or network. If a reminder is already scheduled (as determined byinformation at the headend or provided from the device(s)), then areminder of the scheduled reminder may be displayed to the user at step606 (see e.g., FIG. 2 b). Additional media functionality options may beavailable to the user and displayed per step 608. For example, theviewer may be prompted to record the promoted event, set a force-tuneevent, setting up media functions for episodic content, etc.

If a reminder has not been previously scheduled, then per step 610, itis determined whether the current time is within a time window forsetting the reminder. As discussed above, one or more configurableparameters at the campaign manager or other promotion campaign-relatedentity may be provided to a user (i.e., network operator setting up acampaign) which enable the user to enter a time value threshold pastwhich certain media functionality options may not be made available to auser. In one variant, this may include enabling the network operator toe.g., indicate that reminders will only be enabled up to, for example, 1minute before a designated start time. The determination of step 610 maybe performed for instance by comparing a current time to the designatedstart time of the promoted event and to the parameters listed for thatpromotion campaign at the campaign management entity.

If it is determined that the current time is within the time window,then the reminder is set (step 612). Additional media functionalityoptions may be provided at step 614. For example, the viewer may next beable to set a recording of the promoted event and/or other additionalevents (such as where the content is episodic, where the content isidentifiable by actor, genre, context, etc.), and/or may be able to seta force-tune event.

If it is determined that the current time is not within the time windowfor scheduling a reminder (i.e., the promoted event will occur soonerthan is reasonable for providing a reminder as determined by theconfigurable parameters established for the campaign), then per step 616alternative media functionality options are displayed. For example, theuser may be prompted to tune immediately to the promoted content, recordthe promoted content, establish a forced tune event, and/or tune to, bereminded, and/or record subsequent iterations of the content.

Each of the media functionality options discussed herein may be selectedfor the requesting device and/or individual ones of devices associatedto the requesting device.

Furthermore, with respect to each of the media functionality optionsdiscussed herein, it is appreciated that in the event of a resourceconflict (i.e., there are not enough resources to accommodate a newlyentered request), exemplary implementations of the present invention mayprovide an option to cancel one or more other services such as bydisplaying a list of the conflicting events and enabling the user toselect one or more (based on the number of resources available to theuser) for cancellation. Alternatively, the system may suggest otherdates/times for the same or similar (such as in genre, actors, etc.)content which does not conflict.

Media Functionality Server—

FIG. 7 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a media functionalityserver 202 useful with the present invention. In one variant, the server202 may include an RRR server 252 of the type discussed previouslyherein.

As shown, the server 202 generally comprises a network interface 702 forinterfacing with the content delivery network 101, a processor 704, astorage apparatus 708, and a plurality of interfaces 710 for direct orindirect communication with e.g., the CPE 106, or other networkentities. As discussed above, the other entities with which the server202 may be in communication, as well as the media functionality server202 itself may be located at a network headend 150, or another portionof the MSO network.

In the illustrated embodiment, the server 202 comprises at least adecision-making application 706 and a selection processing application707 running on the processor 704 thereof. Although illustrated asindividual applications 706 and 707 running on the server 202, it isappreciated that the foregoing functionalities may comprise anindividual application, or alternatively one or more distributedapplications running on a plurality of entities in data communicationwith one another (including one or more network entities).

The decision-making application 706 is configured to perform one or moretasks necessary for deciding which of a plurality of media functionalityoptions to incorporate into a promotion. The methods of FIGS. 4-6indicate various decision-making processes which may be performed by thedecision-making application 706 of the server 202. For instance, theapplication 706 may be configured to determine whether a particularmedia functionality option has been previously selected by a viewer forthe promoted event on that device, and/or other devices associated tothe requesting device. In addition, the application 706 may be used todetermine whether a request to record or schedule a reminder is receivedoutside a relevant time threshold. Information for making theaforementioned decisions may be stored at the server 202 or pulled fromone or more of a campaign management entity, a channel/programinformation entity, a subscriber information entity, a requestingdevice, etc.

Still further, the decision-making application 706 may be utilized todetermine which media functionality options are appropriate for displaygiven present circumstances. For instance, if it is determined that thepromoted content comprises content which is immediately available (suchas OD content or currently broadcast content), and a selection wasreceived to record the content, the decision-making application 706 maydetermine to next display an option to record related content (such asother episodes or similar content), to tune to the content (immediatelyand/or in the future), and/or to remind the user of upcoming iterationsof the same or similar content.

The selection processing application 707 is configured to processselection requests received from the CPE 106. As discussed throughoutthe present application, the CPE 106 are provided various promotionshaving selectable icons associated therewith. The user selects one ormore of the icons which causes an embedded trigger therein to send amessage to the server 202. The processing application 707 is configuredto, upon receiving the aforementioned messages, process these to derivesubsequent messages which are transmitted to other entities in thenetwork. In one embodiment, the second messages comprise informationuseful in implementing a user's request, and providing additionalfunctionality options. In addition, the processing application 707 maybe configured to provide commands to the requesting device and one ormore other devices associated therewith which e.g., cause these devicesto record identified content, cause reminder messages to be displayed,cause the devices to tune to identified content, etc.

Additionally, the storage entity 708 may be utilized to store one ormore versions of alternative text to be placed within various messagestransmitted to the client devices. For instance the text portions of themessages displayed at e.g., FIG. 2 b may be stored at the storage entity708.

Insertion Management Entity—

FIG. 8 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of an insertion managemententity 204 useful with the present invention. In one variant theinsertion management entity 204 may comprise an ETAG entity 254 of thetype discussed previously herein.

As shown in FIG. 8, the insertion management entity 204 generallycomprises a network interface 802 for interfacing with the contentdelivery network 101, a processor 804, a storage apparatus 808 and aplurality of interfaces 810 for direct or indirect communication withe.g., the CPE 106, or other network entities. As discussed above, theother entities with which the insertion management entity 204 may be incommunication, as well as the insertion entity 204 itself may be locatedat a network headend 150, or another portion of the MSO network.

In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion management entity 204comprises at least a decision-making application 806 and a campaignmanagement application 807 running on the processor 804 thereof. Asnoted above, although illustrated as individual applications 806 and 807running on the insertion management entity 204, it is appreciated thatthe foregoing functionalities may comprise an individual application, oralternatively one or more distributed applications.

The decision-making application 806 is configured to perform one or moretasks necessary for deciding which of a plurality of media functionalityoptions to incorporate into a promotion. The decision-making application806 may work in connection with the decision-making application 706 ofthe media functionality server 202 (of FIG. 7), and assist in theperformance of functions discussed above with respect thereto.Alternatively, only one of these entities may be selected to perform thevarious decision-making processes to be performed thereby (see e.g.,FIGS. 4-7 and relevant discussion relating thereto). Information formaking the aforementioned decisions may be stored at the insertionmanagement entity 204 or pulled from one or more of a mediafunctionality server, a channel/program information entity, a subscriberinformation entity, a requesting device, etc.

The campaign management application 807 is configured to process andimplement configuration parameters selected by a network operator withrespect to a given campaign. As discussed throughout the presentapplication, the network operator is able to manage a campaign by e.g.,setting a frequency of display of a particular promotion and/or theembedded triggers therein and establish various parameters for displayof individual ones of media functionality options.

In one embodiment the campaign management application 807 may be of thetype discussed in previously referenced, co-owned, co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. Nos. 12/503,749 and 12/503,772, each previouslyincorporated herein by reference herein in its entirety. As discussedtherein, the aforementioned apparatus and methods may be used foridentifying, creating and distributing audience or viewer qualities toan advertisement management system and/or an advertisement decisionmaker. The data is provided in real time (or near real time) therebyenabling audience monitoring for all content, including inter alfa,broadcast, VOD, and DVR content. This information may be useful in e.g.,determining configuration parameters based on historical use, providingtargeted opportunities for promotion insertion consistent with acampaign, etc.

Errors, Reporting, and Performance—

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the success or failure of auser request for a particular media function or option isrecorded/reported. Specifically, once the present system verifies thatthe function/option has been successfully implemented (i.e., arecording, reminder or tuning event scheduled or started), the systemdisplays verification text or icons to the viewer indicating that thefunction was performed successfully, and whether or not it was performedon more than one STB associated with the requesting device (such as inthe same household or registered to the same subscriber account).Additionally, information regarding the successful implementation of themedia function is also stored at e.g., the media functionality server202. In the event the media function is unsuccessfully implemented, anerror message or indication is presented to the viewer. Where possible,a description of the error may also be provided to the viewer (e.g.,scheduling conflict, etc.) or written to a data structure such as anerror log file. In addition, information regarding the failure is alsogenerated and stored at e.g., the media functionality server 202.

One or more campaign management entities may be used to identify datafrom ETAG originating from IAM messages coming from applications havingembedded media functions to be used in generating records regardingsystem performance.

In one embodiment, the EBIF applications of the exemplary system aresmaller (in megabytes) than a traditional two screen vote/poll EBIFapplication. It is further appreciated that the EBIF applicationsaccording to the present system may render within a given time period(such as e.g., three (3) seconds) from being triggered.

The present invention may be further utilized to support centralconfiguration through simple portal(s) or GUI(s). For instance, in oneimplementation, up to 500,000 concurrent overlays may be employed for asingle campaign. Several campaigns may be displayed or employedsimultaneously.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the invention aredescribed in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, thesedescriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of theinvention, and may be modified as required by the particularapplication. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional undercertain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality maybe added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance oftwo or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to beencompassed within the invention disclosed and claimed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Theforegoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated ofcarrying out the invention. This description is in no way meant to belimiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the generalprinciples of the invention. The scope of the invention should bedetermined with reference to the claims.

APPENDIX A  ©Copyright 2012 Time Warner Cable, Inc. All rights reserved.Matrix describing recording behavior Record Record Record HD SD SD CheckWhether Check Whether Version Version Version Overlay is STB isconnected to Check How Many on STB on STB on all other displaying on HDTV via HDMI Service Addresses with with DVR STBs channel Connection areon the Account Overlay Overlay on Account Overlay is There is only one XX Displaying on HD Service Address Channel Associated with the AccountOverlay is There is more than X Displaying on HD one Service AddressChannel Associated with the Account Overlay is STB is Connected to Thereis only one X X Displaying on SD TV via HDMI Service Address Channelconnection Associated with the Account Overlay is STB is Connected toThere is more than X Displaying on SD TV via HDMI one Service AddressChannel connection Associated with the Account

1. A method for providing media functionality to a plurality of devicesin communication with a content delivery network, said methodcomprising: determining one or more media functionality options fordelivery to a user as respective one or more embedded triggers within apromotion, said one or more media functionality options comprisingoptions to be taken with respect to a promoted event; delivering apromotion to said user, said promotion comprising at least said one ormore embedded triggers; receiving a selection of a first one of said oneor more media functionality options from said user via selection of arespective first one of said one or more embedded triggers; and based atleast in part on said user selection, determining whether to: implementsaid selected first one of said one or more media functionality options;or deliver a message indicating a previous selection of said first oneof said one or more media functionality options; and deliver to saiduser one or more second media functionality options; wherein saidimplementation comprises maintaining continuity of said implementedfirst one of said one or more media functionality options over arbitraryconfiguration changes within said network, and alerting said user whensaid continuity cannot be maintained.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid act of determining said one or more media functionality optionscomprises identification thereof from among a group of available mediafunctionality options.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein saididentification is based at least in part on capabilities of one or moredevices associated with said user.
 4. The method of claim 2, whereinsaid content delivery network comprises a managed network, and saididentification is based at least in part one or more rules establishedby an operator of said managed network.
 5. The method of claim 2,wherein said identification is based at least in part on at least oneof: (i) an evaluation of a current time, (ii) a time of availability ofsaid promoted event, and/or (iii) a time threshold entered by a networkoperator.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said media functionalityoptions are selected from among: an option for immediately tuning tosaid promoted event; an option for recording said promoted event; and anoption for scheduling a reminder regarding said promoted event.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein said media functionality options furthercomprise an option to schedule tuning, recording, and/or reminders forcontent related to said promoted event.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein said relation of said content to said promoted event comprisesat least one of: a subsequent episode of a series to which said promotedevent belongs; and content having one or more actors, genre, or contextsimilar to that of said promoted event.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein said implementation of said selected first one of said one ormore media functionality options comprises implementation on one or moreportable devices associated with said user.
 10. Server apparatusconfigured to provide a plurality of media functions to one or moreclient devices in communication therewith, said apparatus comprising: atleast one first interface for communication with the one or more clientdevices; a storage device; and a processor, said processor configured torun at least one computer program thereon, said computer programcomprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed:receive a plurality of parameters relating to a secondary content;utilize said parameters to insert one or more media function-enablingtriggers into a media stream comprising said secondary content; andprovide said secondary content to said one or more client devices incommunication therewith via said at least one first interface.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein said parameters comprise one or moreconfigurable rules entered by a network operator via a user interface.12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said plurality of instructionsare further configured to: receive and process a selection of at leastone of said one or more media function-enabling triggers from at leastone of said one or more client devices; implement a media functionassociated to said selected at least one of said one or more mediafunction-enabling triggers; and provide one or more additional ones ofsaid media function-enabling triggers to said at least one of said oneor more client devices.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein saidsecondary content is associated to promoted content which is currentlyavailable for viewing, and said media function-enabling triggersinserted in said media stream comprising said secondary content compriseat least one of: a function for enabling immediate and automatic tuningto said promoted content; and/or a function for enabling recording ofsaid promoted content.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein saidsecondary content is associated to promoted content which will beavailable at a future time, and said media function-enabling triggersinserted in said media stream comprising said secondary content compriseat least one of: a function for scheduling a reminder to be displayedprior to said future time; a function for scheduling a recording deviceassociated with at least one of said one or more client devices torecord said promoted content at said future time; and/or a function forcausing at least one of said one or more client devices to automaticallytune to said promoted content at said future time.
 15. A method forenabling one or more media functions with respect to a promoted event ina content delivery network, said method comprising: enabling a networkoperator to configure one or more parameters with respect to a pluralityof media functions; gathering a plurality of information regarding oneor more devices associated with an individual user in said network;using at least said information regarding said one or more devices andsaid one or more parameters to identify individual ones of a pluralityof media functions which are available for display to said individualuser; and providing said individual user an ability to implement saididentified individual ones of said plurality of media functions withrespect to said promoted event at one or more of said one or moredevices via a selection thereof by said individual user at one of saidone or more devices.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein: at least oneof said plurality of media functions comprises an ability to record saidpromoted event; and said method further comprises providing, when saidinformation comprises information indicating said promoted event orcontent similar thereto has previously been stored on a storage deviceassociated with at least one of said one or more devices, an indicationof said previous storage.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprisingenabling said individual user to immediately view said previously storedpromoted event or content similar thereto from said storage device. 18.The method of claim 15, further comprising upon selection andimplementation of said identified individual ones of said plurality ofmedia functions, using at least information regarding said selection toidentify second individual ones of a plurality of media functions whichare available for display to said individual user.
 19. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising using information regarding a current timeand information regarding a channel line-up to identify said individualones of said plurality of media functions which are available fordisplay to said individual user
 20. A non-transitory computer readableapparatus comprising a plurality of instructions which are configuredto, when executed by a processor: receive a plurality of parametersrelating to a promotion campaign; utilize at least (i) said parameters,(ii) information regarding a plurality of user devices, (iii) a currenttime, and (iv) information regarding a channel line-up, to identify andinsert one or more media function-enabling triggers into a media streamfor delivering said promotion campaign; and provide said media stream tosaid one or more client devices in communication therewith via at leastone interface.